Colts, Manning Agree to $98-Million Contract

The Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Peyton Manning to a seven-year, $98-million contract on Tuesday, the richest deal in team history.

Manning will receive a $34.5-million signing bonus, the largest in NFL history, and will probably earn $19 million more in roster bonuses.

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Quarterback Jeff Garcia was released by San Francisco, ending his five-year tenure with the team.

The 49ers also released two-time Pro Bowl guard Ron Stone in an attempt to get under the salary cap.

Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was unable to agree on a restructured contract with the 49ers, who wanted to reduce his salary from the $9.9 million he was scheduled to earn in 2004.

Tim Rattay is expected to take over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.

The 49ers also gave receiver Terrell Owens permission to seek a trade.

San Francisco General Manager Terry Donahue said that “it’s very improbable that [Owens] would be back” with the team.

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Tampa Bay receiver Keyshawn Johnson said he was close to agreement on a restructured contract that would clear the way for a trade to the Dallas Cowboys for Joey Galloway. Earlier, the Buccaneers cut five players, including tight end Ken Dilger and linebacker Dwayne Rudd.

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The Oakland Raiders released defensive end Trace Armstrong, president of the NFL Players Assn., and linebacker Bill Romanowski after they failed physical examinations.

Other moves: Defensive tackle Gilbert Brown was released by Green Bay. The 6-foot-2, 340-pound Brown is one of four defensive linemen to play 10 seasons for the Packers. He took off the 1999 season to lose weight.

The Miami Dolphins’ cuts included Pro Bowl safety Brock Marion and backup quarterback Brian Griese.

The Detroit Lions released running back James Stewart, receiver Bill Schroeder and defensive tackle Luther Elliss.

Defensive end Marcellus Wiley, who had a Pro Bowl year in 2001, was among six players cut by the San Diego Chargers. Quarterback Doug Flutie, 41, avoided being cut by agreeing to a restructured, three-year deal.

Jacksonville released defensive end Tony Brackens, the Jaguars’ career sack leader.

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Denver receiver Ed McCaffrey, 35, who won two Super Bowls during his nine seasons with the team, announced his retirement. McCaffrey suffered two concussions in the Broncos’ final three games last season.

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Former Michigan quarterback Drew Henson, who gave up a baseball career in order to return to football, will work out today for Cleveland. Henson, whose rights belong to the Houston Texans, worked out Monday for the Cowboys and Tuesday for the St. Louis Rams.

Tennis

Top-ranked Andy Roddick had his match with John van Lottum in the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic stopped and postponed until today because of rain at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Roddick won the first set, 6-3, and led in the second, 6-5.

Second-seeded Martin Verkerk beat Yves Allegro, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round; third-seeded Robby Ginepri beat Tripp Phillips, 6-2, 6-0, and fourth-seeded Vincent Spadea beat Thomas Johansson, 6-4, 6-4.

Miscellany

A daughter of Awesome Again and Sassy Pants was sold for $2 million at the Barretts auction at Fairplex Park in Pomona, breaking the world record for the public sale of an unraced 2-year-old filly.

The filly, consigned by the Bailey Sales Agency, was bought by Sheik Mohammed of Dubai. The previous record in this category was $1.9 million, set in 2002 when Atlantic Ocean was sold in Pomona. Atlantic Ocean was sold again Tuesday, this time for $700,000, as part of the dispersal of the Thoroughbred Corp.

Jayson Williams had alcohol in his blood the day he shot and killed a chauffeur in his home, police toxicologist Nirmal Sawhney testified in the former NBA player’s manslaughter trial in Somerville, N.J.

NASCAR suspended Busch series driver Kevin Grubb for violating its substance abuse policy. The suspension begins immediately and will last until Grubb meets terms outlined by NASCAR, including counseling and periodic random testing.

Gymnast Oleksandr Beresh, 26, a two-time Olympic medalist and former European champion, was killed when the car he was driving collided with a government vehicle in Kiev, Ukraine.